Pilgrims from Karnataka stranded in Makkah: Haj Committee to move SC, says Khader
Karnataka's Minister for Health and Minority Welfare, U.T. Khader, has threatened to move the Supreme Court if three airlines fail to repatriate hundreds of stranded pilgrims from Makkah. The state government is seeking legal intervention to force the airlines to resume services and compensate the pilgrims for their losses.
Why it matters
This highlights the intersection of government accountability and private sector service failures in the context of international religious travel.
Pilgrims from Karnataka stranded in Makkah: Haj Committee to move SC, says Khader left U.T. Khader ALLEN EGENUSE J. ALLEN EGENUSE J. https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/5t6lb/article71620163.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/ALL_3903.JPG ALLEN EGENUSE J BENGALURU KARNATAKA 22/10/2026: Minister for Health and Family Welfare, U.T. Khader during the "Aalisu Kanda" a Paediatric Cochlear Implantation Symposium under the Hearing Impairment-Free Karnataka Campaign at Arogya Soudha in Bengaluru on October 22, 2026. PHOTO: ALLEN EGENUSE J / The Hindu Shivamogga Minister for Health, Minority Welfare, Haj and Waqf U.T. Khader said the State government will move the Supreme Court if airline companies fail to respond to people from Karnataka stranded in Makkah. Speaking to reporters in Chikkamagaluru on Saturday, the Minister said the responsibility for bringing back the pilgrims from Makkah lies with three airline companies — IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India Express. He said around 600 to 800 pilgrims from Karnataka had been stranded in Makkah.
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